Greece scraps EU fingerprint checks for British travellers

Source: telegraph.co.uk

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Greece announced it will exempt British passport holders from the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric checks at its airports and borders. The Greek Embassy in London and the Greek National Tourism Organisation confirmed the change, which applies from April 10, 2026, amid reports of long queues at other Schengen airports since the system's full rollout. This comes as Greece seeks to ease congestion ahead of peak summer travel from the UK, a major source of visitors.[[6]](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements)[[7]](https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/greece-eu-entry-exit-system-ees-biometrics-british-travellers-b2960369.html)

The EES requires non-EU nationals, including Brits, to submit fingerprints and a facial scan on first entry to create a digital travel record, replacing passport stamps.[[8]](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system)

Key points

Details and context

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) tracks short-stay non-EU visitors by registering biometrics on first entry, then verifying on subsequent trips or exit. It aims to speed checks long-term but has caused initial bottlenecks due to staffing and tech setup.

Greece's unilateral move keeps the pre-EES process: simple passport inspection without biometrics. Eleni Skarveli of the Greek National Tourism Organisation said this ensures "a smoother and more efficient arrival experience" and cuts airport congestion.[[7]](https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/greece-eu-entry-exit-system-ees-biometrics-british-travellers-b2960369.html)

UK remains outside Schengen post-Brexit, so Brits face these rules at all 29 participating countries except Ireland and Cyprus. Greece, reliant on UK tourists, gains a competitive edge for summer holidays.[[12]](https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/greece-ends-eu-biometric-border-rules-for-uk-visitors-to-boost-travel-ease-and-tourism-appeal-all-you-need-to-know)

Key quotes

“Update for British passport holders travelling to Greece. In the framework of the implementation of the Entry/Exit System, as of 10 April 2026, British passport holders are exempt from biometric registration at Greek border crossing points.” – Greek Embassy in London.[[5]](https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/eu-country-scraps-border-system-37040259)

“The exemption... is expected to significantly reduce waiting times and ease congestion at airports. Practically, this means that the entry process in place before the implementation of the EES will remain unchanged.” – Eleni Skarveli, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in the UK.[[7]](https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/greece-eu-entry-exit-system-ees-biometrics-british-travellers-b2960369.html)

Why it matters

EES rollout tests Schengen border efficiency, with risks of missed flights and lost tourism revenue from delays. British travellers to Greece avoid fingerprints and scans, facing quicker entry than at other destinations and cutting stress on summer trips. Watch if Greece extends the exemption beyond any initial 90-150 day window or if other tourist-heavy nations follow suit.

What changed

Before April 10, 2026, British travellers used passport stamps with no biometrics at Greek borders. Now, Greece exempts them from EES fingerprints and facial scans, sticking to passport checks only. The shift started on April 10, 2026.[[13]](https://www.thetravelmagazine.net/greece-goes-its-own-way-and-drops-biometric-testing-for-british-travellers)

FAQ

Q: Why did Greece exempt British travellers from EES biometrics?

A: The decision counters queue chaos from the system's rollout, aiming to reduce airport congestion and ensure smoother arrivals ahead of summer. Greek authorities made it unilateral to prioritise tourism flows from the UK.[[5]](https://www.mirror.co.uk/travel/eu-country-scraps-border-system-37040259)

Q: What happens at Greek borders without EES for Brits?

A: Travellers undergo the pre-EES passport inspection process, with no fingerprints, facial scans, or digital registration required. This applies at all Greek crossing points, including airports and seaports.[[7]](https://www.the-independent.com/travel/news-and-advice/greece-eu-entry-exit-system-ees-biometrics-british-travellers-b2960369.html)

Q: How long will the exemption last?

A: No end date given in the announcement; it started April 10, 2026. EU rules allow suspensions up to 90 days plus a 60-day extension, but Greece has not specified plans.[[9]](https://www.reddit.com/r/europe/comments/1sp88ow/greece_exempts_uk_passport_holders_from_ees)

Q: Does this apply only on entry or also exit from Greece?

A: The exemption covers biometric registration at Greek borders, reverting to standard checks for both entry and exit without EES data collection.[[6]](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements)